For Oakland, it's not yet Carter country

MARINERS 3, A'S 1

Chris Carter might be the answer for the A's at some point, maybe even soon, but he was not on Monday night in his major-league debut.

The 23-year-old came up nearly a month earlier than planned, thanks to three A's injuries Sunday, started in left field and went 0-for-3, striking out in his first two at-bats in Oakland's 3-1 loss at Safeco Field.

"My first at-bat, I was shaking, trying to calm down," Carter said, and discussing his first two at-bats, he added. "I was chasing, overanxious to hit something."

A's manager Bob Geren said he didn't think Carter swung at any bad pitches and he liked that he'd hit the ball hard to third base his final time up.

Though the Oakland organization thinks highly of Carter, who came to the A's in the Dan Haren deal with Arizona, no one wants to place any undo pressure on him. A first baseman much of his career, Carter has played little in the outfield; the initial plan was for him to spend a month in left at Triple-A Sacramento before coming up in September.

In addition, he was slow to get going at Sacramento (though his power numbers were fairly constant). Each time he has been promoted, Carter has needed time to get on track.

"Chris' history suggests that it takes him a while to adjust to the next level," A's general manager Billy Beane said. "But we have confidence that over time, he will be successful at the major-league level."

So patience is the word, and there is no guarantee Carter will stay in Oakland if he does struggle. Asked about the plans for Carter, Geren couldn't guarantee he'd be in the lineup every day and Beane said that he prefers not to make definitive statements.

"He's swinging the bat well right now and we're a little banged up and short on bodies," Beane said. "We needed someone and it seemed foolish not to give him the opportunity to swing the bat here. It's a good time to introduce him to the big leagues."

Carter was almost giddy before the game, with a wide smile despite not sleeping the night before. "I feel like I'm ready," he said, adding with enthusiasm, "I've been waiting for this forever!"

He hit 27 homers and drove in 89 runs with Sacramento, but, Carter said, "I don't feel pressure to hit home runs. I'll just do what I've been doing."

Infielder Jeff Larish, claimed on waivers last week from Detroit, played first base with Daric Barton recovering from left shoulder soreness. Barton said the shoulder has been sore for more than a week and he felt like he jammed it when he slid into second base Sunday. Larish went 0-for-3 with one strikeout.

Barton and Adam Rosales (ankle tendinitis) were available. Outfielder Matt Watson went on the disabled list after a procedure to remove a kidney stone. Outfielder Matt Carson was sent back to Sacramento.